The Marion Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to approve the merge of the Fire Department and EMS at their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 10 in the Marion Town House. The merge will be effective at 1:00 am on Sunday, July 15.
“We live together. We train together. We work together,” said Fire Chief Thomas Joyce. “Why would you not merge the two?”
In November of 2011, Joyce was appointed the Director of both departments, however there was never a formal merge made in terms of payroll. Under the new merge, two Deputy Medical Officers would be demoted to regular EMS staff members. One of those officers losing their rank would be Dale Jones.
“I didn’t know I was going to lose my job until I came here tonight,” said Jones. “I truly recognize the pitfalls of merging the two organizations.”
Jones told the Selectmen and Chief Joyce that he had hopes of becoming the new Director of EMS when the merge was complete. Instead, he will be demoted to a regular EMS member after 30 years of service. By eliminating the two Deputy Officers, the station would save $5,000 annually.
“It’s just not fair,” said Jones.
As Jones became more heated, Selectmen Chair Stephen Cushing urged him to relinquish the microphone. When Jones started approaching the table near the Selectmen, Cushing asked Jones be removed by a police escort.
Jones is not the only concerned employee of the departments. According to Joyce, a lot of the newer members of the departments have not been as open to the idea of the merge.
“I’m sure several of them have reservations,” said Joyce. “Some of them approve, some don’t.”
But according to Joyce, the employees, nor the public, should have any concern about the merge. He said the public would not notice a difference in service
Furthermore, since the informal merge over the past year, Joyce said the departments have enhanced their response times, lowered costs around the station and improved computer data keeping records., among other things.
“I just want to commend the Chief and his staff for doing a great job,” said Selectmen Jody Dickerson. “It’s time we move forward with this. I’m ready to go.”
Buzzards Bay Habitat for Humanity Representative George McTurk met with the Selectmen to ask for two letters that would recognize the recently approved Habitat for Humanity Project in Marion as a Local Initiative Project and to show the Selectmen’s support.
The house, which will be located at 185 Wareham Rd in Marion, will be 1137 square feet with three bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, and a living area. A local solar distributor will also be donating and installing solar panels for the house to cut down on electricity costs.
The house will be awarded to a family; preferably current Marion residents. While the family will have to make monthly mortgage payments, they will not be required to put money down on the house and they will receive an interest-free loan.
“It’s not a hand out; it’s a hand up,” said McTurk.
McTurk said he hopes to get the drafts for the house approved in August and the foundation laid by September. If all goes according to schedule, the residents will be able to move in after the New Year.
In other news, Marion Building Commissioner Scott Shippey passed his certification. Shippey had to pass three difficult exams before being certified.
“This is a real tribute to Scott,” said Town Administrator Paul Dawson.
The Marion Board of Selectmen will meet again on Tuesday, August 7 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Department.
By Katy Fitzpatrick